Four updates: four ilex, one male, one old, one potato, one pig

These will be quick updates as I did little to them but repot so…….
The first tree is the male ilex vomitoria from this post (clicketh hither)
It was time for a new pot.
If you remember, this is not the dwarf (schillings) but just the male (a holly is dioecious. Meaning there are male and female plants. They both have flowers but only the female can make fruit.
In this case, the male is also smaller in stature than the female.

Next we have the “old ilex” from these posts (part 1, part 2 )
If you recall, I up-potted the tree (slip potted) to increase vigor and increase growth. I recently removed all the wire and added one thin piece back (I think)

The root pad is still like a brick; to remedy this I took some small wedge cuts out of it:

And you end up with this

I don’t have the pot I want so another training pot will have to do

It’s a mica pot, which used to be cheap but are now more expensive than ceramic. The allure of the mica was the supposed insulating properties, the dark color keeps the roots warmer in the winter and the thick walls keep the roots cooler in the summer. And they don’t break.

The tree is coming along well I think.

Next is the potato
(this post)
It’s grown this winter so much that this will be the second thinning

I also have a touch of black spot fungus on it. To control it I use Bayer Advanced Systemic fungicide.

At this stage (and at this time of the year) I am removing the bigger leaves and those close to the branch crotches and bases. This will let the light in to stimulate more branching and it will also let more air in (which should help with the fungus)

I can wire some branches but most (the red ones) are just too “green” (I know, the red ones are the green ones. I don’t make up the terms.) and wire will just crush them. I can get a few though.
And I must address the soil.

The mix it’s in is heavy on perlite. Which is good for drainage but is ugly as sin (I don’t know how some people like to use pumice. It’s as ugly as perlite)

And this oxalis must be eradicated. It’s worse than artillery fern.
This tree was collected out of the landscape and it still has the dirt it was growing in stuck inside the roots.

This must be washed out as it also contributes to the fungus problem. An ilex is a drought tolerant plant and must have very well draining (read that as coarse) soil if it’s in a bonsai pot. It is one of those plants that give off an oil (like pine and juniper) from the fallen foliage that combines with soil particles and makes them aqua phobic. Which means that water and the oily soil particles don’t mix. This increases the oxygen in the root area (scientist think this, at least)

That’s better.
I also recut the big roots to better facilitate putting the tree into the bonsai pot.

I think I got the placement right. Maybe I should have reread the previous post.

I can always change it next year.
You can see the branches I wired. I’ll have to wait a month or so for the rest.
Am I done yet?
No. One more I think…
The story of the wiring,carving and weeding of this one is here. And the stories of two other trees as well. Triple prizes!

Tree…meet your new pot.
A little root work

Plunk it into the new pot

Well, not really plunk. We must have respect for the trees. Place gently and reverently into its new home. Uh huh.
The leaves have filled in well since the trimming and wiring. I may try to enter it in a show.
Still kinda young branching but I have a few months.

Side view.

Eagle’s-eye view.
As you might have guessed, I have a fondness for ilex vomitoria. Schillings dwarf in particular.
Most people think they are only good for one style- oak tree- but as you see, all four of these are different.

The man who named it (this is a bonafide conspiracy) also owned coffee plantations. Ilex has a high caffeine content and a pleasant tea is made from the roasted leaves ( during the Civil War the Confederates brewed it because of the coffee shortage)
He didn’t want the competition.

” Native Americans used the leaves and stems to brew a tea, commonly thought to be called asi or black drink for male-only purification and unity rituals. The ceremony included vomiting, and Europeans incorrectly believed that it was Ilex vomitoria that caused it (hence the Latin name).

The active ingredients are actually caffeine and theobromine, and the vomiting was either learned or as a result of the great quantities in which they drank the beverage coupled with fasting. Others believe the Europeans improperly assumed the black drink to be the tea made from Ilex vomitoria when it was likely an entirely different drink made from various roots and herbs and did have emetic properties.”

Adam, as always, enjoy your exploration of woody native species – you never disappoint. Always plant this species next to every house I have ever owned. Love the form and leaf variety. Interesting to see one ‘bonsai sized’ after having been a custodian of the full sized. Thanks.

That was about 5 years ago. The 1 gallons now are about $5 or $6. Walmart is good for material because they get sent the less-than A+ landscape plants (a good landscape plant should be young,have multiple trunks, strong growth etc; unless its a tree) so it’s easier to find nice twisted, old plants at Walmart. You just have to search.